The Phantom of the Opera (1925).

Review #774: The Phantom of the Opera.

Cast
Lon Chaney (Erik, The Phantom of the Opera), Mary Philbin (Christine Daaé), Norman Kerry (Vicomte Raoul de Chagny), Arthur Edmund Carewe (Ledoux), Gibson Gowland (Simon Buquet), John St. Polis (Comte Philippe de Chagny), and Snitz Edwards (Florine Papillon) Directed by Rupert Julian (with additional uncredited work by Edward Sedgwick, Ernst Laemmle, and Lon Chaney)

Review

After a bit of shopping on the Eve of Christmas, I decided to watch a film that I had planned to do earlier in the year but had forgotten to. 90 years after its release, all of the cast members had died, but it was only last year that the final cast member (Carla Laemmle, playing a prima ballerina) died, which was also when Soundstage 28, a set made for the movie that was demolished. Naturally, the one scene that is most memorable is the reveal of the Phantom himself, makeup (created by Chaney himself) and all. It shocked audiences in 1925, and it still looks shocking now, in a way that CGI can never duplicate. Of course the sequence in color (with the Phantom as the Red Death, most notably) is also a highlight, particularly for the time it was shown in. It's a melodrama that lasts for...a run time that depends on what version you are watching. The original release was 101 minutes, but when it re-issued in 1930 with sound, it lasted 101 minutes. The version I watched lasted 107 minutes, so I guess I won out with the movie. The movie certainly sets itself well with regards to the mysterious aspects of the Phantom, but also with the character himself, presented as more than just someone who stalks the opera, but one of misery and hope, masked in deformity. Of course he also was once a prisoner on Devil's Island before he escaped, but still. Chaney truly dominates the movie, in part due to the makeup, but also his ability to act so well without sound. The chandelier scene is treated a bit low key (compared to other scenes), but it is enjoyable to watch a chandelier fall down, especially due to its size. This is a technical marvel in terms of its makeup by Chaney, but also a good horror film that was one of the first films in the Universal Monsters series. Go see it.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Christmas Evil.

Review #681: Christmas Evil.

Cast
Brandon Maggart (Harry Stadling), Jeffrey DeMunn (Philip Stadling), Dianne Hull (Jackie Stadling), Andy Fenwick (Dennis Stadling), Brian Neville (Marc Stadling), and Joe Jamrog (Frank Stoller) Directed by Lewis Jackson.

Review
Yes, today is Christmas Eve. In the four years of this show, I've review four films on Christmas Eve (#018 - Die Hard with a Vengeance, #019 - For a Few Dollars More, #318 - The Santa Clause 2 and #506 - Bullitt), but this time I've picked a real winner, a horror/Christmas film called Christmas Evil (clever pun BTW). The movie is also known as You Better Watch Out and Terror in Toyland. And...it's pretty decent. For one thing, it takes its time before the killer starts his spree, though the first few minutes pretty much sets up everything...weirdly, but still. I guess a kid could go crazy they saw Santa groping their mother. See, the weirdness from the last review did latch onto this review. The reason it's not bad is because it manages to be interesting to watch Maggert's character evolve in terms of mood, and I like how much fun it has with itself. The actors are standard, but it doesn't matter due to the movie's strange charm. The ending has to be seen to be believed because it isn't what you would expect in a horror film. If you like horror films that don't exactly take themselves too seriously and have some fun, this is for you. I kinda like it, so call this a guilty pleasure, or a killer flick, if you will.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Bullitt.

Review #506: Bullitt.

Cast
Steve McQueen (Frank Bullitt), Robert Vaughn (Walter Chalmers), Jacqueline Bisset (Cathy), Don Gordon (Delgetti), Simon Oakland (Captain Sam Bennett), Norman Fell (Captain Baker), Robert Duvall (Weissberg), Georg Stanford Brown (Dr. Willard), Justin Tarr (Eddy), and Carl Reindel (Carl Stanton) Directed by Peter Yates.

Review

Bullitt is notable for one thing, and it must be mentioned first, and it's the car chase. A car chase that goes around San Francisco, between McQueen and the two hit men (played by Paul Genge and Bill Hickman), and the chase is the defining moment of this film, the part everyone who watches the film remembers. The editing (by Frank P. Keller) contributes to the chase because it gives the chase an even greater feel of excitement, the chase sequence is a classic that has undoubtedly inspired many others. While the film has that sequence, it's the only sequence, which is welcome by me, as McQueen does a fine job as Bullitt, Robert Vaughn pairs well with McQueen, as does Jacqueline Bisset, as she has a good effective scene with McQueen over what he does an hour in the film. The film takes its time, but the payoff is good enough to make you forget the wait. I've wanted to review this film for months (sadly not doing it on this film's 45th Anniversary date), and it seems that now, on Christmas Eve was the best time to review it. Speaking of which, there will be a review on Christmas Day, so be ready, viewers.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Polar Express.

Review #317: The Polar Express.

Cast
Tom Hanks (The Conductor, the Hobo, Santa Claus, and the Narrator), Daryl Sabara (Hero Boy), Eddie Deezen (Know-It-All Kid), Nona Gaye (Hero Girl), Peter Scolari (Billy the Lonely Boy), Dylan Cash (Boy on Train), Jimmy Bennett (Billy), with Brendan King and Andy Pellick (the Pastry Chefs) Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Review
This is one of those strange Christmas films, a motion capture computer animated film, where apparently the movements are captured and then inserted into computer animation. If this sounds weird, it kinda is. Hanks portrays a more than just one character, and he does a reasonable job balancing the roles. Zemeckis does a decent job directing. The acting by the other cast are okay, not horrible, but not entirely special. The main thing of contention is the animation. It is either lifelike and creates a sense of magic or it is slightly creepy and it makes you wonder why they didn't just make a regular animated film. I pick the middle. While it does have some of the magic that makes a classic, it sometimes feels artificial, deliberately checking things off the list of what to do. While I don't think it's a classic by much means, it is recommended for anyone who likes trains and some Christmas spirit. Just expect some odd animation.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Die Hard with a Vengeance.

Review #018: Die Hard with a Vengeance.

Cast
Bruce Willis (NYPD Lieutenant John McClane), Samuel L. Jackson (Zeus Carver), Jeremy Irons (Simon Gruber), Graham Greene (NYPD Detective Joe Lambert), Colleen Camp (NYPD Detective Connie Kowalski), Larry Bryggman (NYPD Inspector Walter Cobb), Anthony Peck (NYPD Detective Ricky Walsh), Nick Wyman (Mathias Targo), Sam Phillips (Katya), and Kevin Chamberlin (Charles Weiss) Directed by John McTiernan.

Review
As a movie that connects itself with the first film while ignoring the second film (with McTiernan returning to direct this film), it's a good if not perfect movie. Willis and Jackson are pretty good together as a duo, having pretty good scenes in the midst of fairly established tension for both them and the plot. It veers into being like a cartoon with the action at times, but it manages to keep itself going relatively well. Irons is a decent villain, not simply just being the brother of the guy from the first film. Ultimately, there's enough to keep one entertained in this third installment of a franchise that usually delivers some thrills.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.